Telescope Reviews: New Mach 1 Mount

· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt

· Submit a Review / Article

Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums

Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User

You are not logged in. [Login]

Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online
FAQ · Calendar

Equipment Discussions >> Mounts

Pages: 1

FaronD
super member

Reged: 03/25/10

Loc: Richmond Hill, Ontario

New Mach 1 Mount
#5497171 - 10/31/12 12:49 AM Attachment (117 downloads)

Well new to me anyway, it certainly looks new. I've decided to purchase a new imaging mount. It was a toss up between the Mach 1 and a new G11 with G2. Obviously I chose the Mach 1. It looks like Sandi as an affinity for my mount, sorry everyone; If I were to purchase the G11, I was going to add Cassidy weights and an Ovision worm plus a few other extras. Basically, I was trying to build a Mach 1. Add these items up and it starts to approach the Mach 1 price. I sent a few messages to Losmandy, I wasn't too impressed with the response, or lack of. I even called a few times but didn't get anyone?? Just go ahead and email or call Astro-Physics, they have amazing customer service, and so they should.

The Mach 1 and Eagle is a gorgeous combo. The build quality is simply superb. I did have an hour or so to test it on Fri before the clouds rolled in. I'm very impressed with the stability of the Eagle Pier, it's rock solid. It took me a while to familiarize myself with the HC, it's certainly different than my EQ6. I have to practice drift aligning, I don't have a clue about it. I told myself if I'm going to spend this much money on a mount, I will only drift align for imaging. Besides, AP has a few short cuts to speed up the process however, I will need a finder with crosshairs to take advantage of this.

I do have my first question if an owner would care to answer? When going through the polar alignment procedure, how do I change the movement speed without having to back out of the process? I know number 6 is the button but, once you choose a star and start the process, I can't change the speed. I need to really slow it down to center the star properly in the reticle and vice versa if I'm too far off. Any tips here?
I'm really happy with my purchase and can't wait to check it out with my cam on it.

Here's a picture.

Faron

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

blueman
Vendor Blue Sky Accessories

Reged: 07/20/07

Loc: California

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: FaronD]
#5497185 - 10/31/12 01:03 AM

Beautiful!
Blueman

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

D. Perry
super member

Reged: 09/28/07

Loc: Southern California, USA

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: blueman]
#5497226 - 10/31/12 02:16 AM

Looks great. Congratulations! You made the right choice. I *believe* you can change speeds by using the left and right arrow keys.

Best,

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

Starhawk
Post Laureate

Reged: 09/16/08

Loc: Tucson, Arizona

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: D. Perry]
#5497551 - 10/31/12 10:31 AM

Read all of the manuals. It doesn't work like other mounts. You'll see when you get it going.

-Rich

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: FaronD]
#5497905 - 10/31/12 03:00 PM

Congrats on the new Mach1.

There is no finer mount available in its class and I'm sure you will enjoy the heck out of it after you work your way through the manual.

I only do visual now, so I conveniently forgot all that stuff about drift alignment a few years ago. I can do a simple polar align through the mount and be happy all night.

I also suggest you not be so hard on Losmandy. They are a much smaller operation and astro mounts are a sideline to their 'real' business. I have always been able to get through, unless they are on lunch break, and they have always been very helpful to me.

But as you noticed, no one compares to A-P when it comes to customer service.

Cheers,

Ron

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

Lane
Post Laureate

Reged: 11/19/07

Loc: Frisco, Texas

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: RAKing]
#5497937 - 10/31/12 03:17 PM

"I sent a few messages to Losmandy, I wasn't too impressed with the response, or lack of. I even called a few times but didn't get anyone??"

I also sent Losmandy some questions about the G11 last week and never got a response. Wonder what is happening there.

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

rockethead26
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/21/09

Loc: Indiana, USA

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: Lane]
#5498055 - 10/31/12 04:33 PM

Beautiful mount, Faron. Maybe some more pics besides just the head-on shot

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

pfile
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 06/14/09

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: rockethead26]
#5498239 - 10/31/12 06:43 PM

i always had better luck calling losmandy than with email. however, scott did answer at least one of my emails.

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

FaronD
super member

Reged: 03/25/10

Loc: Richmond Hill, Ontario

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: FaronD]
#5499906 - 11/01/12 08:53 PM

Hi Jim, I will take a few shots of the head and post it for you.
Guys, I have two nine pound weights and a single six pound. I'm slightly scope heavy with my beefy TOA130 and accessories. I've read that the Mach 1 has the same motors as the larger mounts which means they are very strong. I'm sure a slight off balance won't be an issue for the motors. Will this have a detrimental effect on tracking? Again, this is an imaging mount.

Faron

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

Raginar
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 10/19/10

Loc: Rapid CIty, SD

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: FaronD]
#5500014 - 11/01/12 09:55 PM

If you're imaging, work to get a good balance.

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

andysea
sage

Reged: 09/03/10

Loc: Seattle, WA

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: FaronD]
#5500238 - 11/02/12 12:25 AM

Quote:

Hi Jim, I will take a few shots of the head and post it for you.
Guys, I have two nine pound weights and a single six pound. I'm slightly scope heavy with my beefy TOA130 and accessories. I've read that the Mach 1 has the same motors as the larger mounts which means they are very strong. I'm sure a slight off balance won't be an issue for the motors. Will this have a detrimental effect on tracking? Again, this is an imaging mount.

Faron

Good question! I would post on the AP GTO group. I'm sure a lot of AP users will chime in...According to AP perfect balance isn't required. I would however try to get as close as possible.

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

andysea
sage

Reged: 09/03/10

Loc: Seattle, WA

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: FaronD]
#5500319 - 11/02/12 01:27 AM

Hi Again Faron.
I think that for the TOA we will need three 9lb weights. Incidentally I have discovered that the 11lb Meade LX80 weights work just fine on the Mach1. They are obviously cheaper but also much lower quality. I don't know if that's relevant but SS in not magnetic so it won't interfere with the built in compass of the Mach1. The meade weights do.
They also have what appears to be a SS Rod that pushes against the counterweight shaft so I replaced is with a bronze one that is non marring.

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: FaronD]
#5500686 - 11/02/12 10:44 AM

My TOA-130 needed three nine pound weights, shifted up 1.5 inches from the bottom.

The Mach1 is not too sensitive off-balance, but your setup will also depend on your camera and guiding setups and you are already a couple pounds off.

I would definitely grab another nine pound weight.

Cheers,

Ron

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

FaronD
super member

Reged: 03/25/10

Loc: Richmond Hill, Ontario

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: FaronD]
#5501656 - 11/02/12 10:07 PM

Thanks guys, I will order another weight. Andy, I can't put a Meade weight on there...

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

andysea
sage

Reged: 09/03/10

Loc: Seattle, WA

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: FaronD]
#5501772 - 11/02/12 11:13 PM

Quote:

Thanks guys, I will order another weight. Andy, I can't put a Meade weight on there...

Lol yeah most people wouldn't! I'm just practical:) Sometimes to increase the counterweights on my NJP I use 5lb gym plates!! Works like a charm

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

RAKing
Postmaster

Reged: 12/28/07

Loc: West of the D.C. Nebula

Re: New Mach 1 Mount new

new

[Re: andysea]
#5502061 - 11/03/12 08:32 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Thanks guys, I will order another weight. Andy, I can't put a Meade weight on there...

Lol yeah most people wouldn't! I'm just practical:) Sometimes to increase the counterweights on my NJP I use 5lb gym plates!! Works like a charm

I agree. I also sandwiched Losmandy weights on my thin Mach1 shaft while I was waiting for the "proper" gear to arrive. It's okay to improvise.

Cheers,

Ron

Post Extras:

Print Post

Remind Me!

Notify Moderator

Pages: 1

Extra information

10 registered and 30 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator: Bowmoreman, bilgebay, iceblaze

Print Thread

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Thread views: 1298

Jump to

Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics